In 1954,
Trans-Canada Air Lines (predecessor to the current Air Canada), was
looking for a replacement for their Canadair DC-4M North Star airliners
in order to better compete with DC-6 and DC-7 airplanes flown by
competitors. They settled on Lockheed's Super Constellation as
that replacement. Eventually, they bought and operated 14
airplanes, but the onset of jet airliners spelled an early end to the
beautiful Connies. Douglas DC-8s replaced them and by about 1962,
all were gone. One survived, sort of, Serial Number
4544. It's flying days ended in 1965, and it was dismantled
and moved around the countryside. Forty years later, mostly
derelict, its luck appeared to have run out.

CF-TGE
as situated at Toronto Airport - Summer 2005

But then, in
2005, the Museum
of Flight in Seattle
acquired this Lockheed L-1049G Super Constellation. The aircraft
was
delivered originally to Trans Canada Air Lines (TCA) in 1954, and
retired by them in 1962. It was delivered as CF-TGE
(originally
delivered as an L-1049C, later modified to L-1049G
standard.) Final negotiations and arrangements for
acquisition of
this great aircraft, which were begun in 2001, were completed
in 2005. The activities concerning the
dismantling, storage, government permitting, repair, repainting in
original TCA
colors, and transporting back to Seattle are covered on this
section of my website. The airplane has taken its glorious
place of
honor with some
magnificent other airplanes.
The Museum, already home to a world class collection of
airplanes, is becoming one of the great places to see historic
transport aircraft, ranging from the Boeing Model 40, 80A and 247,
Douglas
DC-2 and DC-3, to the Boeing 707, 727, 737, 747, Lockheed Jetstar,
deHavilland Comet 4C,
and Concorde.

The airplane arrived in Seattle on 4 Sept
2009, and after 1 year in storage, was placed on permanent display 19
Sept 2010.

I'm
Bob Bogash and I'm the Project Manager for this aircraft's acquisition
and restoration for the Museum of Flight. I'm a retired Boeing
employee and serve as an unpaid volunteer for this activity. All
comments are entirely my own.

I
began this section of my website
to document the recovery and restoration of this fine and beautiful
airplane. I also used it as a vehicle to "set the record
straight" during a prolonged dispute involving exporting this airpane
from Canada. Much mis-information appeared in print and on
websites. But, over time, I acquired a lot of material on its
history. Many people wrote me and sent me original materials and
photos. So I expanded and changed its focus to cover the entire
history of this fine airplane. The recovery and restoration
remain the subject matter which has the most in-depth coverage.
There is also a lot of general Connie info being added.

Current
Status - the airplane is on public display at the Museum of Flight

Into Boeing Plant
II Hangar for final work and Interim Storage - 15 Sept 2009

Moved
into Museum of Flight Display Location - 19 Sept 2010

The
People in the History of Super Connie CF-TGE

The
below archival sections detail the situation surrounding the aircraft's
acquisition by the Museum of Flight, and the controversy over its
export from Canada.

The
REAL
story about
this Canadian "artifact" - The Cultural
Heritage Battle

Detailed condition pictures - August 2005

41 Years of Neglect

TAM - "Rebuffed" at Every Turn???
The Recent Fight to Save
this Aircraft

Letters and Comments Supporting this
Activity (2005 - 2006)

The
"Players", some personal Notes, and Tech Data and Links.

Bob Bogash, retired Boeing Executive, is the Museum's Project
Manager for the Constellation

Why
I like Super Connies !

Super
Constellation
Technical Data (Large Files)

Connie Links

A morale booster from the early days

And,.........IF,
we need a Reminder,....Here's why we're
doing all this!

"What
some believe is the most beautiful airplane ever built will be
returning to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2006, as the Airline History
Museum’s Star
of America Lockheed Super Constellation makes its first
appearance at the event since 2004."